Indian car companies offering heavy discounts to boost sales

Indian car companies offering heavy discounts to boost salesIn a desperate bid to increase sales, Indian car companies are offering heavy discounts on their various models.

The combination of economic slowdown, escalating fuel costs and high interest rates has taken a considerable toll on demand for cars in the country. Auto companies failed to allure customers even during the festive season of Dusshera and Diwali.

Maruti Suzuki, the biggest automaker of the country in term of volumes, is offering a discount of Rs 16,000 on its Alto 800, while Nissan is offering a discount of Rs 20,000 on the Evalia. Similarly, the Chevy Sail hatchback now costs Rs 15,000 lower than its previous price tag.

Some cars like the Hyundai i10, Toyota Liva, WagonR and Tata Indica are available with discount packages of up to Rs 60,000 in addition to pretty exchange offers.

According to some estimates, discounts on cars from various brands are available in the range of 13 per cent to 18 per cent in December this year, higher than the range of 8 per cent to 15 per cent in the corresponding month of last year. But, despite heavy discounts, December car sales could not jump as per expectations.

Meanwhile, recent reports suggest that Mr. Gerard Detourbet is paving way for Renault's Alto-rival. Mr. Detourbet, the man behind the low cost Logan, has been in India since at least August working on the new low cost car program.

The reported car will likely be powered by an 800cc engine and is expected to be priced in the range of Rs 2.75 to 3 lakh. The car in question will compete with the likes of Maruti Suzuki Alto and the Hyundai Eon.